Womens Way
Womens Way is a public charity based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1976, it works to advance gender equity through grantmaking, education, research, advocacy, and community engagement.
Womens Way at a glance
In short: Womens Way gave $634K across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 78% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $634,270
- +238.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- +89.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,619
- +78.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $4,633,781
- +29.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 78% first-time grantees (28 of 36, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Womens Way
- How to Apply
-
The IRAF accepts applications on a rolling basis. The 2025 Rapid Response General Operating Fund accepted applications on a rolling basis, but that cycle is closed. The General Operating Fund’s 2023 application cycle is also closed, and the website says it is not accepting additional proposals for the current Gender Economic Equity Program cohort.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 1617 John F Kennedy Blvd 2043, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 985-3322
Website: https://womensway.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Womens Way
Gender Economic Equity Program (GEEP)
Womens Way
Amount
$235,000 over three years ($705,000 total for 4 grantees)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Immediate Response Action Fund (IRAF)
Womens Way
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Immediate Response Action Fund Grant
Womens Way
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Womens Way funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Along the Way ($75K). Together the top 10 received $375K.
Grant Size Distribution
131 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 126 grants of 131 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The funder is based in Philadelphia, and its website describes its work as serving the Philadelphia region. In 2025, 95% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 3% to recipients in New Jersey; the filing lists the remaining 2% under “AA.” The funder’s program information describes IRAF and the 2025 Rapid Response General Operating Fund as serving the Greater Philadelphia region.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Womens Way open to new grantees?
78%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 28 of 36 grantees (78%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $34K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $185K (2021) to $634K (2025). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $634K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Along the Way Souderton, PA | General Operating | $75,000 |
| Connectedly Phila, PA | General Operating | $75,000 |
| Therapy Center of Phila Phila, PA | General Operating | $75,000 |
| Women In Dialogue Phila, PA | General Operating | $75,000 |
| Gender Justice Fund Phila, PA | Programatic | $25,000 |
| A Womans Place Doylestown, PA | Operational | $10,000 |
| African family Health Org Phila, PA | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Alianzas de Phoenixville Phoenixville, PA | General Operating | $10,000 |
| Andree Collective Phila, AA | Programatic | $10,000 |
| Ardelias House Phila, PA | General Operaing | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Womens Way?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,633,781 | $2,920,790 | $1,689,440 | $634,270 | 36 | $512,075 |
| 2024 | $3,570,827 | $1,155,719 | $1,220,372 | $187,347 | 19 | $189,220 |
| 2023 | $3,353,710 | $1,031,492 | $1,409,538 | $359,600 | 36 | $117,314 |
| 2022 | $3,525,322 | $1,367,096 | $1,245,282 | $308,368 | 24 | $192,596 |
| 2021 | $4,129,422 | $1,313,781 | $995,754 | $185,000 | 16 | $363,938 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
WOMEN’S WAY states that it achieves gender equity by building collective power to disrupt oppressive systems and strengthen alternative models centered in love, dignity, and liberation. Its website says its work considers how inequities and biases related to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability, age, and socioeconomic background intersect.
Its grant programs support organizations serving women, girls, and gender-expansive communities, as well as organizations addressing urgent challenges or working in the care economy. For example, grantee Along the Way says it equips parents, especially single parents, with support and child care to help families achieve economic stability. A Woman’s Place describes its mission as working toward a society where all individuals are safe in their relationships and can thrive. Alianzas de Phoenixville says it promotes equity and dignity for diverse communities through services and intercultural exchange.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Womens Way reported 36 grants totaling $634,270. Grant amounts ranged from $9,270 to $75,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest grants included $75,000 each to Along the Way, Connectedly, Therapy Center of Philadelphia, and Women In Dialogue, all for general operating support. Other listed awards included $25,000 to Gender Justice Fund for programmatic support and $10,000 each to A Woman’s Place, African Family Health Organization, and Alianzas de Phoenixville.
The funder’s 2025 filing describes four grantmaking programs. The Immediate Response Action Fund (IRAF) awarded 15 grants totaling more than $149,270 for urgent and unanticipated needs. The Gender Economic Equity Fund distributed $300,000 to four care-sector organizations as the first installment of three-year grants, with each organization receiving $235,000 over the grant period. WOMEN’S WAY also invested $25,000 with the Gender Justice Fund in its Trans Resilience Fund.
The IRAF offers one-time grants of up to $10,000 for a grant period of up to 12 months. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the funder says decisions are made within 10 business days of receiving a completed application. IRAF grants are restricted to a specific, unanticipated event, opportunity, or challenge. Grantees must submit a final evaluation report or participate in a virtual meeting within 13 months, covering the project, goals, services, lessons, and demographics.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Diane Cornman-Levy as Executive Director, Jessica Muslin as COO, and Kelly Sheard as Foundation Manager. Directors listed are Radiance Bucknor, Tamara Cobb, Jenifer Groves, Jocelyn Hastings, Michelle King, Laura LaRosa, and Linda Manfredonia.
Womens Way is led by Diane Cornman-Levy, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 3 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Diane Cornman-Levy
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$131K (2021) → $152K (2025)
Myra Brown
Chairman
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashlie Thornbury
Director
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Manfredonia
Director
Director → Dirctor, 2022
Dirctor → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roopa Seshadri
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenifer Groves
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Radiance Bucknor
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Wilson
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Britainy Stephens
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jocelyn Hastings
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura LaRosa
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meghan Pierce
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle King
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Orfelina Payne
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tamara Cobb
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ada Okafor
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Coe
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Yeakel
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gina Palmisano
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Herman
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lesle John
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Muslin
COO
Associate Director → COO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$92K (2023) → $104K (2025)
Kelly Sheard
Foundation Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$89K (2025)
Katherine Quinn
Treasurer
Treasurer → Director, 2023
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Belmont
Vice President
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maithili Pradhan
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Adam Landau (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Anita Lewis (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Monique Howard (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Nan Hutchinson (2024) — Director
- Former: Cynthia Ritter (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Joanne Shallcross (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Adrian Harris (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Antionette Lee (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Caitlyn Boyle (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Taina Estremera (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: LAURA LaLAROSA (2023) — Director
- Former: Celeste Collins (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Don Forcey (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Jennedy Johnson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Aletha Yvette Akers (2021) — Director
- Former: Denise Collins (2021) — Director
- Former: Harvey Floyd (2021) — Director
- Former: Joanna Otero-Cruz (2021) — Director
- Former: Julie Laine (2021) — Director
- Former: Mims Manyard Zabriskie (2021) — Director
- Former: Paula Crowley (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $152K, to Diane Cornman-Levy (Executive Dir.). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Womens Way
How much does Womens Way give each year?
Womens Way gave $634K across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $187K across 19 grants.
What is Womens Way's typical grant size?
Womens Way's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $17,619, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Womens Way that year got $13K on average.
Where does Womens Way give grants?
Womens Way gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Phila, PA (22 grants), Phoenixville, PA (2 grants), Philadelphia, PA (2 grants) and Marlton, NJ (2 grants).
Does Womens Way give general operating support?
Yes: 61% of Womens Way's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Programatic" (10 grants) and "Programmatic" (3 grants).
Who are Womens Way's largest grantees?
Womens Way's largest 2025 grantees include Along the Way ($75,000), Connectedly ($75,000) and Therapy Center of Phila ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Womens Way?
Womens Way reported $4.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.9M.
What does Womens Way fund?
WOMEN’S WAY states that it achieves gender equity by building collective power to disrupt oppressive systems and strengthen alternative models centered in love, dignity, and liberation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Womens Way?
The IRAF accepts applications on a rolling basis. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Womens Way's EIN?
Womens Way's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-1989161. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 22, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Womens Way's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Womens Way funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/womens-way-morg_3c9a65bc43d54dad8da1569fdba326e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_231989161_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Womens Way funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/womens-way-morg_3c9a65bc43d54dad8da1569fdba326e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Womens Way's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Womens Way down — hundreds of funders to go?